DEMOLISH Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

demolish

verb

di-ˈmä-lish

Definition of demolish

as in to destroy

to destroy (as a building) completely by knocking down or breaking to pieces developers demolished the old warehouse to make room for the new shopping mall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to ruin

to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of most of the buildings in the town had been demolished in the bombing raid

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shatter

to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive terrorists used a powerful pipe bomb to demolish the concrete wall around the compound

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of demolish However, last week, the tide turned as the Green Bay Packers demolished the Bears, winning 31-7. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Obviously, the risk of default is something that should concern all stakeholders because equity value will generally be demolished long before any default actually happens. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Rand said the application proposes demolishing the building at this time, but calls it a very early first step and adds that the owner is open to a compromise. — Gio Insignares, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 The island is the former home of a Renault factory, which was active for most of the 20th century and demolished in 2005. — News Desk, Artforum, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demolish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolish

Verb

Rather than undertaking the difficult but just and moral work of reform of the nation's immigration laws, Vance would destroy and expel their families with a smile, claiming that such actions will save you money.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Running low on fuel, NASA chose to steer Cassini straight into Saturn's atmosphere, where the spacecraft was destroyed.

— Tariq Malik, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

Burdick seemed to have drawn directly from McCarthy’s experience, the hopelessness of fighting with his father over a world his father had already ruined, the surrender to indulgence and mindless violence because…why not?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Each room is also outfitted with a Yale smart lock, which means there’s no room for that horrible feeling of losing a room key to ruin your vacation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruin

Verb

Overwhelmed police forces often failed to intervene as thousands of vandals, many wearing masks and caps that hid their faces, shattered storefront windows and walked off with merchandise.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
When Ida suddenly disappears, Sine’s world is shattered, yet her lost freedom, old friends, and acting career unexpectedly return.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of shatter

Verb

The McCoys’ attorney said the house will need to be razed and completely rebuilt.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Designed to last over a century, the building is a rejection of Japan’s disposable architecture, in which structures are razed — and all vegetation on lots ripped out — after a few decades of use.

— Tim Hornyak, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of raze

Verb

Non-consensually posted intimate images can devastate women – and beget male bonding.

— Brittany Luse, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026
That pad, now dubbed LC-36A, was devastated by a massive explosion during a test back in May, but construction crews have worked 24/7 to try and build it back to launch capability before the end of the year.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of devastate

Verb

In Tirana this week, protesters smashed windows, set alight government buildings and clashed with police.

— Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
Federal officials maintain the immigration officers believed their lives were in danger and opened fire only after Belgal smashed his car into two government vehicles and accelerated toward them.

— Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of smash

Verb

Just as Bryan’s own ascent began, alcoholism almost wrecked his fellow Oklahoma heroes, Turnpike Troubadours.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
Some people make money, some people use the buzz to shore up a brand, and some people get their lives wrecked, but who falls into this last category comes down to bad luck more than to justice.

— B. D. McClay, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of wreck

Verb

Ocean iron fertilization grew from the idea that iron-rich dust blown across the oceans during past ice ages fed blooms of phytoplankton, helping to lower atmospheric CO₂.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
But head coach Ben Johnson isn't going to be happy that his team nearly blew a 24-point lead with just over 12 minutes to go.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Browse Nearby Words

demoiselles

demolish

demolished

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“Demolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolish. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of demolish

verb

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